RATIONALE

While much attention has gone to internal consistency of certification schemes – and in doing so, setting a benchmark for legitimacy and credibility – less attention has been given to the consequences that these schemes hold for aquaculture producers around the globe, especially for small-holders that form the backbone of the SE-Asian aquaculture industry. The need for supporting producers to understand and comply with certification rules is becoming increasingly important, not only for the benefit of the producers but indirectly for European consumers that heavily rely on imported products to cover the increasing gap between demand and local production. As European markets seek greater volume of environmentally or 'responsibly' certified product from these industries it becomes crucial that producers are able to comply with production standards and thereby maintain access to these markets.

The workshop will bring relevant stakeholders together for a 1 day workshop to deliberate on various issues and initiatives mentioned above, review the present status, and identify future opportunities to progress the concept of quality assurance/certification in a way that will be beneficial to consumers, producers, traders, retailers and national governments.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Key stakeholders from importing (EU) and exporting (Asia) countries will get the opportunity to understand and appreciate the ground realities of aquaculture production and trade and the role of certification programs in promoting responsible aquaculture. This means: experts on aquaculture certification, representatives of Asian producers and exporters, European importers, policy makers.

PROGRAMME

9.00 – 9.30

Opening of the day

9.30 – 10.45

Producer compliance constraints

Presentation: NACA (Dr. CV Mohan)

Panel discussion: Experts from Public and private certification systems